Express Entry issues 4,500 ITAs

Canada’s immigration system continues to make headlines with its latest Express Entry draw, the third of September 2025, issuing an impressive 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the French language proficiency category.

With a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 446, this draw marks a significant opportunity for French-speaking candidates aiming to secure Canadian permanent residency.

Conducted on September 4, 2025, this draw underscores Canada’s commitment to bolstering its Francophone communities outside Quebec while addressing labor market needs.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll dive into the details of this draw, explore the eligibility criteria for the French language proficiency category, provide insights into the previous two draws of September.

Full Details Of The Express Entry Draws This Week

Today’s draw is part of Canada’s broader strategy to meet its 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to admit close to 30,000 Francophone newcomers in 2025, with targets increasing to 31,350 in 2026 and 31,500 in 2027.

Sepecifics	September 4	September 3	September 2
Category/program	French language proficiency (Version 1)	Canadian Experience Class	Provincial Nominee Program
Number of invitations	4,500	1,000	249
CRS score cutoff	446	534	772
Tie-Breaking Rule	June 16, 2025 at 07:21:06 UTC	August 14, 2025 at 08:28:38 UTC	August 28, 2025 at 19:19:18 UTC

The tie-breaking rule prioritizes candidates based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

By prioritizing French-speaking candidates, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is reinforcing its commitment to fostering bilingualism and supporting Francophone communities in provinces like Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.

Eligibility Criteria for French Language Proficiency Draws

To be eligible for a French language proficiency draw, candidates must meet specific requirements outlined by IRCC.

These draws are part of the category-based selection system introduced in 2023 to target candidates who can fill urgent workforce gaps or contribute to demographic goals, such as strengthening Canada’s bilingual identity.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria for the French language proficiency category:

1. Express Entry Program Eligibility: Candidates must first qualify for one of the three federal immigration programs managed by Express Entry:
   • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Requires at least one year of continuous skilled work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) job at Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 0, 1, 2, or 3, along with a minimum of 67 points on the FSW eligibility grid.
   • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Requires at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
   • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Requires at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in a skilled trade within the past five years, along with a valid job offer or certification in Canada.
2. French Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
   • This proficiency must be proven through one of the IRCC-approved French language tests:
     • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada)Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada)

     Strong French language skills also provide a significant advantage in the CRS, with candidates earning up to 50 additional points for proficiency in French, even if it’s their second language.

3. Active Express Entry Profile: Candidates must have an active Express Entry profile created before the tie-breaking rule timestamp (in this case, June 16, 2025, at 07:21:06 UTC). Profiles are valid for up to one year, after which candidates must resubmit to remain in the pool.
4. Minimum CRS Score: For the September 4 draw, candidates needed a CRS score of 446 or higher. The CRS evaluates candidates based on human capital factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and adaptability. Additional points can be earned for factors like Canadian work experience, a valid job offer, or a provincial nomination (which adds 600 points).
5. Admissibility to Canada: Candidates must be admissible to Canada, meaning they have no criminal or medical issues that would prevent entry.

Meeting these criteria positions candidates for selection in French language proficiency draws, which often have lower CRS cut-offs compared to general or program-specific draws, making them an attractive pathway for Francophone immigrants.

What to Do If You Received an ITA

If you’re among the 4,500 candidates who received an ITA in the September 4 draw, congratulations! Here’s what to do next:

1. Accept the ITA: Log into your Express Entry profile to accept the invitation within 60 days.
2. Submit Your Application: Complete your permanent residency application online, including supporting documents like language test results, educational credentials, reference letters, police clearance certificates, and medical examination results. The application fee is approximately CAD 1,365 per adult as of 2025.
3. Monitor Processing: IRCC aims to process Express Entry applications within six months. Check your application status regularly.
4. Prepare for Landing: Once approved, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If in Canada, you may complete a virtual landing process; if abroad, you’ll need to enter Canada to activate your status.

The third Express Entry draw of September 2025, with its 4,500 ITAs and a CRS cut-off of 446, is a testament to Canada’s commitment to welcoming skilled Francophone immigrants.

By targeting candidates with strong French language skills, IRCC is not only addressing labor market needs but also fostering the growth of bilingual communities across the country.

For aspiring immigrants, this draw highlights the importance of improving French proficiency, gaining Canadian work experience, and exploring provincial nomination options to boost CRS scores.